Apparatus for the manufacture of artificial threads



March 15, 1932. I w. H. GLovEF ET AL 1,850,007

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL THREADS fined Aug. 12, 1930 INVENTORS WALTER HAMIS GLOVER GEORGE DOUGLAS BOND 6y their attorneys Patented Mar. 15, 1932 UNETED STATES WALTER HAMIS GLOVER, 0F LEAMINGTON, AND GEORGE DOUGLAS BOND, Olll COVENTRY,

ENGLAND, ASSIGNORS T0 COURTAULDS LIMITED, OF- LONDON, .ENGLANDQA BRITISH COMPANY APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL THREADS Application filed. August 12, 1930, Serial No. 474,812, and in Great Britain November 4, 1929.

This invention relates to the manufacture and production of artificial threads by the stretch spinning process, such as is employed for the production of artificial threads from solutions of cellulose in copper oxide ammonia. It is well known that difficulties are experienced in the production of uniform threads by this method, and that at least some of these difficulties are caused by eddies or currents in the precipitating liquid contained in the spinning funnel. These eddies or currents arise by reason of the fact that the thread, when descending inside the spinning funnel, carries down with it a considerable quantity of the precipitating liquid, the quantity of liquid thus carried downwards being greater than the quantity of replenishing liquid which is ordinarily introduced into the funnel. A part of the precipitating liquid which is carried down by the thread will consequently return in an upward direction to the middle or upper regions of the spin ning funnel, and it is the eddies and currents produced by this upward movement of the precipitating liquid which cause irregularities in the thread which is being spun. In order to overcome the effect of these eddies or currents, various devices have been proposed for insertion into the spinning funnel, as for example, subsidiary funnels of various shapes, such as conical, long, short, nar row or wide funnels with restricted outlets; it has also been proposed to insert into the spinning funnel a volute taper funnel, with a continuous spiral space throughout the Whole length of the said volute taper funnel.

WVe have now found that improvements in the stretch spinning process are obtained by inserting material provided with numerous small holes between the wall of the spinning funnel and the thread which is being spun. The said material may for example be conical or cylindrical in form and may consist of a glass funnel perforated with a comparatively large number of holes. A conical or cylindrical sheet of metal perforated with a large number of small holes, or a cone of cylinder of woven wire gauze may also be employed. When using such perforated sheet w metal or metallic gauze, we prefer to employ the metal which is known under the registered trade mark Monel.

The said material may be arranged to extend from the lower end of the spinning funnel to above the jet, or it may be made shorter, provided it surrounds those parts of the thread which are susceptible to eddies or currents in the precipitating liquid.

l/Vhen spinning is carried out according to the present invention, the filaments descend more regularly than hitherto through the precipitating liquid and have little or no tendency to sway from side to. side.

We will further describe our invention with reference to the accompanying drawing which represents diagrammatically one form of apparatus for use according to this invention, but the invention is not restricted thereto.

A is the spinning funnel, B the nozzle through which the cellulosic solution is proected into the precipitating bath, C isthe pipe through which fresh precipitating liquid is conveyed to the funnel, D representsv the thread which passes downwards and is drawn away from the lower end of the funnel A.

E indicates the material having numerous small holes and situated between the funnel A and the thread D. The said material E may consist of wire gauze, the mesh of which may vary within wide limits, or it may consist of a perforated sheet of metal, glass or other suitable material.

In the drawing the perforated material E is shown cylindrical in form; itinay, however, if desired, be conical or of any other suitable shape.

material situated inside the said spinning funnel and surrounding those parts of the thread Which are susceptible to eddies r currents in the precipitating liquid.

2. Apparatus for the production of artificial threads by the stretch spinning process comprising a spinning funnel and Wire auze v situated inside the said spinning funne and surrounding those parts of the thread which are susceptible to eddies or currents in the precipitating liquid.

In testimony whereof We have signed our names to this specification.

WALTER HAMIS GLOVER I GEORGE DOUGLAS BOND. 

